Album: Single Release Only (2014)
Charted: 90
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Songfacts®:

  • This ballad was recorded by Sons of Anarchy's in-house band, The Forest Rangers, and sung by Jake Smith, a.k.a. the White Buffalo, for the concluding December 9, 2014 "Papa's Goods" episode of the hit US TV crime series.

    The lyrics were penned by the show's creator, Kurt Sutter and the instrumentation was done by Sons of Anarchy music supervisor (and Forest Rangers leader) Bob Thiele Jr.. "As a fan of the show, it was an honor collaborating with Kurt and Bob on this," Smith told Rolling Stone. "The song is conflicted, disturbing, and beautiful, much like the show itself. I hope the fans enjoy it."
  • The tune represents Sons of Anarchy character Jax's swansong, having committed suicide by driving headlong into an 18-wheeler during a police chase. "[T]he challenge was not to be too anchored in the melancholy," Thiele Jr. told Rolling Stone. "We know what's gonna happen and sad as it is, there is a triumphant surrender that Jax embraces in his final moments. Rather than stay in the minor key of the verse, I chose to frame the chorus in a major key which underscores Jax's decision to choose his own final destiny. The moment is no longer weighed in sorrow."

    "When I was writing the song, cycling through the chorus, I kept hearing the strains of Peter, Paul & Mary in my head. Lord knows why, but there was just something sing-songy about the words and melody," Thiele continued. "It just seemed so contrasting (and yet perfect) to the finality of our narrative."

Comments: 11

  • Sammi from AustraliaAs a fan of the show and of course Jax those final moments were tense and stressful. Heartfelt and weighed on many a person, especially for someone who's been there in that moment themselves. The air of freedom from the shackles and sins no longer weigh heavy. Yet the deception of the ravens almost hits you unexpectedly despite knowing what's coming. Yet on you ride to that final moment free of pain and suffering. Yes I feel Jax on many levels in this moment, the song and its lyrics have been perfectly written and composed to music in such a way that you can't help but be moved with emotion and feeling. Thankyou for this perfect song
  • Melissa from UsaI heard this song when I watched the series it is so fitting for the ending but it still is so so sad how it ended I cry every time the song and the ending play but just to listen I don’t cry that tells you how much this shows ending affected me.
  • May from Mi, UsaIt’s a sad song but I enjoy listening to it, my mama loves the tv show of SOA and so do I. When I saw Jax’s end with that song playing at the same time, I cried.
  • Ladyjay from New JerseyThis song was beautiful & so well thought out. I love SOA & was sooo very sad to see it end &the way it ended. Such an amazing show & one for the books. I'll NEVER forget this show and this song.
  • Paypaybird from UsaI was thinking that this song is so appropriate for Jax’s suicide run. A “murder” is a group of crows. Could this song be revealing that Jax is about to join the”murder” of his fellow Samcro brothers who passed on throughout the entire series?
  • Simon from UkI saw The White Buffalo perform this live, loved the song so much it prompted me to watch the show. The song means more now obviously but it is a great work on its own. Love the song and the programme, will watch again and again.
  • Charles E. from Manteca, CaI kept trying to find out what the Come Join The Murder Song's every music genre is online and yet every time I tried looking it up on google I found no answers. I want some answers since I'm a fan of this song, and enjoyed hearing it on the Series Finale Episode of The Sons of Anarchy TV Show.
  • Kieran from ManchesterI really enjoyed the song, i think it was a perfect way to complement the visuals in Jax's final moments. I'm still upset that the show is over, but Come Join The Murder helped me let go a little bit at a time
  • Christopher Graham from Phoenix, Az Hauntingly beautiful song. Puts into musical translation how the choices we make dictate the lives we lead. As Shakespeare said, "This above all, to thine own self be true." A fitting song for Jax. His fate seemed to me as greeting Mr. Mayhem like greeting an old friend. One would be amazed at the things we would be willing to do in order to protect the ones we love. Few songs of contemporary music can bring tears. This is one.
  • Rod from Hampshire, UkI found this beautiful song having finished watching Season 6 of SOA on Netflix, and was looking for the "Day is Gone". Luckily I found on Google play and listened to it there....had I found on Youtube I might have realised how Season 7 ends. I nearly didn't watch season 7 due to the ending of S6 as I was upset. SOA: great plots, twists, intertwined stories, shocking and also loving moments, highs and lows, great acting from all the cast and coupled with uterly fantastic songs like this one. Having watched S1-S7 during the COVID-19 lockdown I'm now at a loss....nothing will match this ever for me !
  • Ianredman. from Worthing, Sussex, EnglandMy favourite bird in such a beautiful emotional song, perfect and thank you. I will use this when time here is done.
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